Sharpener with noise reducing features

Abstract

An electric pencil sharpener is provided. This pencil sharpener includes a motor, a cutter assembly, mechanical means for operatively connecting the motor to the cutter assembly, and a housing. The cutter assembly includes a rotating carrier with at least two helical cutters mounted on the carrier. The mechanical means for operatively connecting the motor to the cutter assembly further includes a first gear assembly mechanically coupled to the motor; a second gear assembly mechanically coupled to the first gear assembly and to the cutter assembly; a gearbox for supporting the first and second gear assemblies; and a cover for enclosing the first gear assembly. The housing further includes a canopy and a base positioned underneath the canopy.

1. An electric pencil sharpener, comprising:
 (a) a motor; 
 (b) a cutter assembly, wherein the cutter assembly further includes:
 (i) a rotating carrier, wherein the carrier further includes a carrier shaft; 
 (ii) at least two helical cutters mounted on the carrier, wherein the helical cutters define a conical cavity therebetween; and 
 (iii) a barrel positioned at the large end of the conical cavity, wherein the barrel includes a bore formed therein for receiving a pencil; and 
 
 (c) mechanical means for operatively connecting the motor to the cutter assembly, wherein the mechanical means for operatively connecting the motor to the cutter assembly further includes:
 (i) a first gear assembly mechanically coupled to the motor; 
 (ii) a second gear assembly mechanically coupled to the first gear assembly and to the cutter assembly; 
 (iii) a gearbox for supporting the first and second gear assemblies; and 
 (iv) a cover for enclosing the first gear assembly; and 
 
 (d) a housing for containing the motor, cutter assembly, and the mechanical means for operatively connecting the motor to the cutter assembly, wherein the housing further includes:
 (i) a canopy, wherein the canopy further includes an aperture in the front portion thereof, and wherein the aperture is adapted to receive a pencil; and 
 (ii) a base positioned underneath the canopy, wherein the base further includes at least one mount formed thereon, and wherein the at least one mount is adapted to receive the bottom portion of the gearbox. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The pencil sharpener of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one vibration dampening device positioned between the bottom of the gearbox and the top of the at least one mount formed on the base portion of the housing. 
     
     
       3. The pencil sharpener of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of elastomeric feet attached to the base for supporting the pencil sharpener above a surface upon which it has been placed. 
     
     
       4. The pencil sharpener of  claim 1 , wherein the motor is a high-voltage DC motor of about 120 V. 
     
     
       5. The pencil sharpener of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier shaft has been machined to provide more precise control of the rotation of the carrier. 
     
     
       6. The pencil sharpener of  claim 1 , wherein the helical cutters are left-handed cutters that are rotated counter-clockwise. 
     
     
       7. The pencil sharpener of  claim 1 , wherein the helical cutters are right-handed cutters that are rotated clockwise. 
     
     
       8. The pencil sharpener of  claim 1 , wherein the first gear assembly further includes a pinion gear, a carrier gear, and a third gear positioned between the pinion gear and the carrier gear. 
     
     
       9. The pencil sharpener of  claim 1 , wherein the second gear assembly further includes a helical drive gear and a bushing positioned between the helical drive gear and the carrier gear of the first gear assembly. 
     
     
       10. The pencil sharpener of  claim 1 , wherein the gearbox is manufactured from metal. 
     
     
       11. An electric pencil sharpener, comprising:
 (a) a DC motor having a voltage of about 120V; 
 (b) a cutter assembly, wherein the cutter assembly further includes:
 (i) a rotating carrier, wherein the carrier further includes a carrier shaft; 
 (ii) at least two helical cutters mounted on the carrier, wherein the helical cutters define a conical cavity therebetween; and 
 (iii) a barrel positioned at the large end of the conical cavity, wherein the barrel includes a bore formed therein for receiving a pencil; and 
 
 (c) mechanical means for operatively connecting the motor to the cutter assembly, wherein the mechanical means for operatively connecting the motor to the cutter assembly further includes:
 (i) a first gear assembly mechanically coupled to the motor; 
 (ii) a second gear assembly mechanically coupled to the first gear assembly and to the cutter assembly; 
 (iii) a gearbox for supporting the first and second gear assemblies; and 
 (iv) a cover for enclosing the first gear assembly; and 
 
 (d) a housing for containing the motor, cutter assembly, and the mechanical means for operatively connecting the motor to the cutter assembly, wherein the housing further includes:
 (i) a canopy, wherein the canopy further includes an aperture in the front portion thereof, and wherein the aperture is adapted to receive a pencil; and 
 (ii) a base positioned underneath the canopy, wherein the base further includes at least one mount formed thereon, and wherein the at least one mount is adapted to receive the bottom portion of the gearbox; and 
 
 (e) at least one vibration dampening device positioned between the bottom of the gearbox and the top of the at least one mount formed on the base portion of the housing. 
 
     
     
       12. The pencil sharpener of  claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of elastomeric feet attached to the base for supporting the pencil sharpener above a surface upon which it has been placed. 
     
     
       13. The pencil sharpener of  claim 11 , wherein the helical cutters are left-handed cutters that are rotated counter-clockwise. 
     
     
       14. The pencil sharpener of  claim 11 , wherein the helical cutters are right-handed cutters that are rotated clockwise. 
     
     
       15. The pencil sharpener of  claim 11 , wherein the first gear assembly further includes a pinion gear, a carrier gear, and a third gear positioned between the pinion gear and the carrier gear. 
     
     
       16. The pencil sharpener of  claim 11 , wherein the second gear assembly further includes a helical drive gear and a bushing positioned between the helical drive gear and the carrier gear of the first gear assembly. 
     
     
       17. An electric pencil sharpener, comprising:
 (a) a DC motor having a voltage of at least 120V; 
 (b) a cutter assembly, wherein the cutter assembly further includes:
 (i) a rotating carrier, wherein the carrier further includes a carrier shaft; 
 (ii) at least two helical cutters mounted on the carrier, wherein the helical cutters define a conical cavity therebetween; and 
 (iii) a barrel positioned at the large end of the conical cavity, wherein the barrel includes a bore formed therein for receiving a pencil; and 
 
 (c) mechanical means for operatively connecting the motor to the cutter assembly, wherein the mechanical means for operatively connecting the motor to the cutter assembly further includes:
 (i) a first gear assembly mechanically coupled to the motor; 
 (ii) a second gear assembly mechanically coupled to the first gear assembly and to the cutter assembly; 
 (iii) a metal gearbox for supporting the first and second gear assemblies; and 
 (iv) a cover for enclosing the first gear assembly; and 
 
 (d) a housing for containing the motor, cutter assembly, and the mechanical means for operatively connecting the motor to the cutter assembly, wherein the housing further includes:
 (i) a canopy, wherein the canopy further includes an aperture in the front portion thereof, and wherein the aperture is adapted to receive a pencil; and 
 (ii) a base positioned underneath the canopy, wherein the base further includes at least one mount formed thereon, and wherein the at least one mount is adapted to receive the bottom portion of the gearbox; and 
 
 (e) at least one vibration dampening device positioned between the bottom of the gearbox and the top of the at least one mount formed on the base portion of the housing; and 
 (f) a plurality of suction cup-shaped elastomeric feet attached to the base for supporting the pencil sharpener above a surface upon which it has been placed. 
 
     
     
       18. The pencil sharpener of  claim 17 , wherein the helical cutters are left-handed cutters that are rotated counter-clockwise or wherein the helical cutters are right-handed cutters that are rotated clockwise. 
     
     
       19. The pencil sharpener of  claim 17 , wherein the first gear assembly further includes a pinion gear, a carrier gear, and a third gear positioned between the pinion gear and the carrier gear. 
     
     
       20. The pencil sharpener of  claim 17 , wherein the second gear assembly further includes a helical drive gear and a bushing positioned between the helical drive gear and the carrier gear of the first gear assembly.